From the Abyss Invasion to the Blasting Star.

Chapter 429 Conspiracy
"That's it."

Lu Heng finally found a satisfactory skill name in the list of B-grade crystal cores: [Source Energy Armor].

Speaking of which, Lu Heng is very familiar with this skill because he had obtained it before his rebirth and upgraded it to a very high level.

Therefore, Lu Heng knew the subsequent upgrade path of this skill and had a complete plan in mind.

Of course, the results of upgrading skills using [Divine Evolution] are not unique and involve a certain degree of randomness.

In other words, upgrading the same B-level skill may result in two different A-level skills.

However, this difference is relative.

Even if the skills that are ultimately upgraded are different, the differences will not be too great.

Because upgrading a skill does not change the nature of the skill itself. For example, after upgrading a lightning-attribute skill, it will inevitably have the lightning attribute.

The randomness of skill upgrades is not completely random, but rather random within a certain range.

【Source Energy Armor】is a standard defensive skill, which is exactly what Lu Heng needs. It also has great upgrade potential, so there's no need to hesitate; just choose this one.

Qi Jinghui peeked over, glanced at the skill name, and without even looking at the attributes, nodded in agreement: "This crystal core is fine. We can just submit a report and have the crystal core warehouse send it over."

As he spoke, he took out a skill crystal core usage application form, wrote the name of the crystal core on it, and placed it in front of Lu Heng, explaining, "No other procedures are needed, just sign your name. After all, it needs to be issued from the crystal core warehouse, so the procedures still need to be followed."

For Lu Heng's current status, a B-level skill could be transferred with a simple request, but military discipline is very strict, and it must be done according to normal procedures.

After Lu Heng signed his name, Qi Jinghui handed the application form to the orderly behind him and whispered, "Just wait there. Bring it over directly after it leaves the warehouse."

The orderly nodded in agreement and quickly went to handle the matter with the application form in hand.

After selecting the skill cores, the next step is to look at the fourth-tier source essence.

B-rank skills can be used freely, but it's different with fourth-tier Source Essence.

At this point in time, there are no more than a handful of fourth-tier source materials in the human world. Everyone is eyeing these few source materials, so the only option is to exchange them for resources of the same level.

Qi Jinghui opened a classified document and showed it to Lu Heng and the other three: "Currently, our war zone has three sets of fourth-grade source materials that can be exchanged. Two sets are in our war zone, and one set is in another war zone. Once you've decided what you want, the commander will find a way to coordinate."

The laptop screen displayed the names of three quaternary source materials.

The first one is [Magic Shield Guard], a defensive class, suitable for ability users who want to take the defensive route.

When Lu Heng saw this source material, he was very interested because this class was very strong and relatively rare, a defensive class specifically designed to counter magic.

If there were defenders in the team, Lu Heng would really like to take this source essence.

Unfortunately, none of the four members of the team are specialized defensive ability users.

Even among melee ability users, Lu Heng is the only one, and he already has the [Judgment Blade], so it's impossible for him to switch to the [Magic Shield Guard].

Although he didn't need this rank, Lu Heng still pointed to the screen and asked, "Have we found someone to use this source material?"

Qi Jinghui considered for a moment before replying, "The war zone is currently studying and has compiled a list of suitable candidates for using this source material, but the final selection has not yet been determined. If you want it, you can take it first."

Lu Heng naturally didn't need it, but he did offer some advice: "In Longwei's special forces, Cao Lixiong is a defensive type, and he is suitable for this class."

"Of course, I'm just giving some suggestions. You can discuss how to allocate the funds in the end."

"No matter who you assign him to, bring him to see me after he obtains his class."

Qi Jinghui knew immediately that it must be good news, and smiled as he agreed, "Then I will thank Commander Lu on behalf of this soldier whose fate is still uncertain."

Lu Heng continued scrolling down.

The second fourth-order source material is [Ascended].

Judging from the name alone, one would not normally think of the function of this fourth-stage source substance.

Lu Heng knew the function of this rank, and quickly glanced at the source material data, which was consistent with the effect in his memory.

The [Ascensionist] class is very special. It does not have class-specific abilities, but it can promote a lower-level class to the fourth job advancement.

As you progress from the first to the fourth job advancement, the higher the job advancement rank, the stronger your job abilities become.

Of course, there are significant differences between job ranks.

Each job class has its own area of ​​expertise.

Therefore, sometimes a first job advancement is no worse than a second job advancement.

However, overall, higher-ranking classes are still stronger than lower-ranking classes.

The value of the "Promoted" class depends on the class being promoted to.

Simply put, this is a button to upgrade a lower-ranked class. If your original lower-ranked class is not strong, the improvement after upgrading will be very limited.

Moreover, there is another problem here.

After a superhuman obtains a fourth job rank, they will normally possess four job rank abilities: first, second, third, and fourth job rank.

If the fourth job advancement is [Ascendant], and the first job advancement is upgraded to the fourth job advancement, then this ability user will only have the skills of the second, third, and fourth job advancements.

Without realizing it, one class skill is missing.

Therefore, the value of this class essence is somewhat subtle; if used improperly, it can directly result in losing a class skill.

Of course, the actual situation wasn't that bad.

Due to the existence of source energy, ability users with the [Ascended] class can actually use the class skills after two ascensions.

In summary, this skill has both advantages and disadvantages, depending on whether there are lower-ranking classes worth pursuing.

Upon seeing the name of the fourth-tier Origin Essence, Lu Heng didn't hesitate and said directly, "We want this [Ascendant]."

While the [Ascended] class has its advantages and disadvantages, it also has one advantage: it does not restrict the class path of ability users, making it a perfect fit for everyone.

Qi Jinghui flipped to the last document, a fourth-tier source material, and asked, "Aren't we going to test on this last one?"

Lu Heng glanced at the name; the last fourth-tier source essence was called [Elementalist], belonging to the mental class.

According to the team's four-person approach, expressing gratitude to the mentor is acceptable, but not the best choice.

Lu Heng glanced back at Xie Shi'en and exchanged a look with him.

Xie Shi'en nodded and said, "It's your decision. I can wait a little longer."

Lu Heng immediately decided: "We need [Ascended Ones]."

After making the decision, Lu Heng took out twelve portions of dragon bones, placed them on the table, and said, "Regarding the materials we agreed on for the exchange, is there anything we need to discuss in terms of quantity?"

Qi Jinghui glanced at them, roughly calculated that there were twelve in total, and his expression froze for a moment.

Although Lu Heng had said last time that there would be enough, he didn't expect Lu Heng to give him twelve without even discussing it. You have to understand that these are the bones of a giant dragon, and not just low-quality parts of the torso, but high-quality parts like the dragon claws and tail.

If the forging skills are good enough, twelve dragon bones can be used to forge twelve weapons. What does that mean?
Of course, with the current level of human blacksmiths, it is impossible to succeed in all twelve forging attempts.

If you want to forge an S-grade weapon, you'll definitely need to stack up multiple dragon bones. If you can get three S-grade weapons in the end, you'll be considered to have made a profit.

Three S-class weapons, placed within the circle of superhumans, are enough to change the landscape of superhumans in a region.

For high-level ability users, as their level becomes increasingly difficult to increase, the difficulty of further improving their combat power will skyrocket.

An S-class weapon can allow top-tier superhumans to crush their opponents of the same level.

Therefore, Qi Jinghui quickly nodded in agreement: "Okay, this quantity is enough."

After completing the fourth transformation of the Source Essence and obtaining the [Ascended] Source Essence, Lu Heng and the three members of his team left the war zone headquarters together.

On the road.

Lin Zeyu thought about it and felt that he had given too much dragon bone earlier.

Having been in business for a long time, he noticed a fleeting expression on Qi Jinghui's face just now, clearly indicating some surprise at the number of dragon bones.

He couldn't help but ask, "Aren't we being too generous, giving so many dragon bones? Qi Jinghui was quite surprised."

Lu Heng glanced at him sideways and smiled meaningfully, "Maybe suffering a loss is a blessing in disguise?"

"What do you mean? It's not that I feel sorry for these dragon bones, but I feel really annoyed by the loss." Lin Zeyu said with a straight face, still a little confused.

He doesn't actually care that much about money, since he's never lacked money growing up.

What he couldn't stand was being cheated.

He's willing to spend money as long as it makes him feel good, but if someone tries to cheat him, he'll fight back.

This time, exchanging dragon bones for a fourth job advancement wasn't exactly a scam, but the quantity given clearly exceeded the theater command's original expectations.

Xie Shi'en shook his head and smiled, "Young Master Lin is still too concerned about the principle of equality in business. Do you think Lu Heng would do a losing deal?"

Lin Zeyu scratched his head and asked in confusion, "Yeah, boss, you're not like this. Why did you give so many dragon bones?"

Lu Heng shook his head and smiled, without saying a word.

Su Muyu had already figured out the reason, and smiled, "What do you think the war zone will do with so many dragon bones?"

Lin Zeyu replied matter-of-factly, "Of course they're for forging weapons. Those twelve dragon bones are from the dragon claws and tail, which are perfect for forging weapons."

Su Muyu then asked, "If the war zone needs to forge weapons, who should we contact?"

Lin Zeyu continued to answer matter-of-factly: "Of course we should find Master Gulu. On Blue Star, only Master Gulu is capable of forging weapons of this caliber."

Su Muyu continued, "What would happen if Master Gulu used so many materials to forge a weapon?"

Lin Zeyu had a sudden inspiration, slapped his thigh, and said, "Upgrading a secondary profession? Why didn't I think of that? The captain is really cunning; he's getting the war zone to provide materials to help Master Gulu level up his skills."

To forge an S-grade weapon, you need more than just dragon bone. You need to select different materials to add depending on the type and attributes of the weapon you are forging.

Therefore, the materials required in the end are very numerous, and even a large power would find it difficult to gather enough for the forging of twelve dragon bones in a short period of time.

Lu Heng wanted to upgrade the Aurora Blade with the SS-grade Demon Dragon Horn, but Master Gulu wasn't very confident, since the Aurora Blade was the first S-grade weapon he had forged.

Master Gulu doesn't even dare to think about SS-level divine weapons now.

To build his confidence, we first need to help him improve his forging skills. Once his forging skills improve, his confidence will naturally follow.

Therefore, having Master Gollum forge twelve dragon bones for the war zone to boost his skills before upgrading the Aurora Blade is an incredibly worthwhile strategy.

Lu Heng did have this idea, but it wouldn't be considered a trap for the Southern Theater Command.

The twelve dragon bones are such top-grade materials that only one family on Earth possesses them; you can't find a second one anywhere else.

The war zone has no shortage of low-level materials. As long as you can finish two or three S-level weapons in the end, it will definitely not be a loss.

Therefore, this is a win-win-win situation.

Even if the theater command knew Lu Heng's plans, they would still happily step into this trap.

This is a calculated strategy; everyone benefits, and all three parties are satisfied.

……

Just as Lu Heng had predicted.

After obtaining the twelve dragon bones, the Southern Theater Command dispatched a group of soldiers with blacksmithing as a secondary profession to enter the Quenching Fortress and discuss the forging of the dragon bones with Master Gulu.

The Southern Theater Command, having acquired the twelve dragon bones, naturally sought to maximize its gains by sending a team of blacksmiths to participate in the forging of S-class weapons, while also training blacksmiths within the military.

When Master Gollum heard that twelve dragon bones were to be forged and that there was plenty of material, the ambitious Black Iron Dwarf uncle agreed without hesitation and began to design the weapon according to the requirements.

When Lu Heng came to Quenching Fortress to see him, his eyes never left the blueprints on the table.

“Young Lu, I’ve been extremely busy lately, so let’s put the upgrade of the Aurora Blade on hold for now. I’ll upgrade the Aurora Blade for you after I’ve forged a few S-rank divine weapons.” Master Gulu held a magnifying glass and carefully examined the details on the blueprint.

"Okay, you can go ahead and do your other things," Lu Heng agreed with a smile.

Master Gulu never imagined that these twelve dragon bones were also arranged for him by Lu Heng in a roundabout way.

Although he could tell at a glance that the batch of dragon bones sent by the war zone was the same batch that Lu Heng had taken out before.

Master Gulu continued, "By the way, you said last time that you wanted to forge a divine weapon for Miss Su as well. Let's put that aside for now. I'll finish forging this batch of dragon bones first."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say," Lu Heng readily agreed.

They did give the war zone twelve dragon bones this time, but not all of them. They still have a batch of S-grade dragon bones on hand, which they plan to use to forge weapons for a few members of the team.

Since the plan was already in place to have Master Gulu level up his forging skill first, then we'll wait until he finishes forging these twelve dragon bones before forging weapons for Su Muyu and the others.

As Master Gulu designed the blueprints, he flipped through his tin book and muttered, "My teacher never taught me how to forge S-class divine weapons. I can only figure it out little by little. It would be great if I had more books on forging techniques to read."

Hearing this, Lu Heng suggested, "Why don't we go to the elven world to exchange forging techniques? The elven forging techniques have many advantages."

Comparatively speaking, the elves are more skilled at crafting inscriptions, runes, and jewelry, which suits their elegant temperament.

However, the Elven race has a long history and excels in forging, especially when it comes to forging magical items.

Therefore, going there to exchange ideas and learn from each other's strengths will definitely be beneficial.

Master Guru looked up in surprise and asked, "Can I go?"

(End of this chapter)